The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (May 28) accompanied a research team led by the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Ma Youxiang and the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangdong Province, Mr Liu Zonghui, to visit the modern mariculture demonstration farm at Tung Lung Chau set up by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). The research team gained a better understanding on the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in promoting modernised and sustainable mariculture and exchanged views on the development of marine fisheries in the two places.
 
     Mr Tse said, "The HKSAR Government welcomes the nation's research team to visit the modern mariculture demonstration farm at Tung Lung Chau for exchange of views. The demonstration farm adopts deep sea cages with modernised and sustainable practices. It provides infrastructure for on-site training leading the upgrading and transformation of the local fisheries industry."
 
     Mr Tse added, "Promoting the sustainable development of fisheries has now become the dominant trend and is consistent with the direction of the development of the nation. The Government will continue to promote and assist fishermen to switch to modernised and sustainable mariculture practices, enhance manpower training and conserve our ocean resources."
　　
     The Government has been promoting the upgrading and transformation of fisheries operations, moving towards the modernisation and sustainable development of the fisheries industry. The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the AFCD are working hand in hand with the industry to formulate a blueprint for the sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries. The Government plans to roll out an array of measures covering finance, infrastructure, land and technical support to raise the quality and value of local produces, as well as the productivity of the industry.
 
     To further promote the development of deep sea cage mariculture, the AFCD has designated new fish culture zones at four priority sites and will provide several deep sea cages equipped with modern mariculture equipment in phases for renting to fish farmers. Through the implementation of the measures, the Government expects the local mariculture production will increase by 100 per cent in five years.
   
     Also joining the visit to the demonstration farm at Tung Lung Chau today were Hong Kong Deputy to the National People's Congress and Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Kenneth Fok, and representatives from the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium (HKFC). Witnessed by Mr Tse and Mr Ma, Mr Fok presented a cheque to the HKFC to support its HKSAR Mariculture Training Programmes for Young Talents. The EEB is pleased to know that the HKFC has been committed to promoting the upgrading and transformation of traditional fisheries to integrate into the overall development of the country. The training programmes provide scholarships for young people interested in joining sustainable fisheries, allowing them to apply for tuition fee or living subsidies to further their studies in the Ocean University of China or Guangdong Ocean University, etc. to become quality talents who meet national needs and contribute to aquaculture in Hong Kong.
　　
     The Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Miss Vivian Lau, and the Acting Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, also attended the visit of the research team today.
 

    

     The Department of Health (DH) today (May 28) called on members of the public to continue their support for organ donation and to register with the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR) (www.codr.gov.hk). Enhanced feature for the CODR system will also be introduced at appropriate time in accordance with the public usage and reaction.

     A spokesman for the DH said that Hong Kong has been adopting an "opt-in" system for cadaveric organ donation. The DH has been closely monitoring the operation of the CODR system. Despite medical advancement, for some patients with organ failure, organ transplant remains the only hope to live on. Due to limited supply from donations of organs, more than 2 000 patients in Hong Kong are currently waiting for organ transplants, and many patients have died before an organ that is suitable for transplant is available.

     Since its establishment in 2008, the registration number of the CODR has kept growing, from 45 150 in 2009 to more than 357 000 at present, reflecting strong support for organ donation from the general public. Members of the public should keep supporting the selfless and generous act of organ donation in saving lives and register with the CODR. As most people, upon learning of their family members' wish to donate organs after death, are willing to honour such wish. As such it is very important to inform family members of the wish.

     Following the launch of the revamped CODR system in April last year allowing members of the public to choose to register in the CODR online using "iAM Smart", the DH worked with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to launch an enhanced feature of CODR system today, to assist registered users of "iAM Smart" to use the newly added "Centralised Organ Donation Register (Enquiry of Registration Status)" service of the application to check whether they have registered in the CODR.

     "iAM Smart" mobile app provides the one-stop personalised digital services platform, which enables users to log in and use a series of government, public and private online services by their personal mobile phone in a more convenient way. "iAM Smart" strictly adheres to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and personal data is encrypted. Registered "iAM Smart" users can now use the newly added service and connect directly to the CODR system simply by clicking a few buttons. They can know their registration status in a convenient yet safe way. For information on registration of "iAM Smart", please visit the "iAM Smart" website (www.iamsmart.gov.hk).

     The Government encourages citizens to register the "iAM Smart" to enjoy more personalised government electronic services, while those who are yet to be "iAM Smart" registered users can continue using the current means and make request according to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. For details, please refer to the CODR website: www.codr.gov.hk/codr/InternetAgreeDataAccess.xhtml.

     The spokesman said that signing an organ donation card is one way of expressing your wish to donate your organs. Members of the public who have signed an organ donation card are also encouraged to register at the CODR, in order to facilitate confirmation of their wish and make arrangements accordingly.

     In addition, the Government is continuing its review on the procedure of registration and withdrawal application for the CODR system. The system would be updated and relevant procedures would be enhanced at appropriate time after considering factors including privacy and identity verification, and the Government would make announcement accordingly.

     The Government will continue to make every effort in promoting organ donation on various fronts in collaboration with community partners and to foster more public education and promotion through a multi-pronged approach in a bid to build a receptive and respectful culture for organ donation, thereby more patients waiting for organ transplants can be given a new lease of life.

     For more information on organ donations, please visit the thematic website at: www.organdonation.gov.hk or the "Organ Donation@HK" Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/organdonationhk.

     President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is in the People's Republic of China for a state visit, will arrive in Hong Kong today (May 28) for a two-day visit.
      
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will meet with the President tomorrow (May 29) at the Government House.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 28) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) will meet on Tuesday (May 30) to consider an application for new issue of liquor licence.

     The application is:
 
Kowloon:
—————
BARCODE 23 in Hung Hom

     The board will also consider revocation of the liquor licence of HATO in Tsim Sha Tsui.

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.